ISRO’s recent invitation to private companies to build India’s largest rocket is a long-awaited move to ensure greater participation of the private sector in the country’s space programme.
Also, experts speaking to The Indian Express told The Indian Express that this will help India emerge strongly in the international space market as the demand for satellite launches increases.
Earlier this month, ISRO’s business unit New Space India Limited (NSIL) procured from private companies the “end-to-end” manufacture of the rocket launch vehicles Mark-III (LVM3) used in Chandrayaan-2 and the rocket. Applications are invited. This rocket will also be used for the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission.
LVM3, formerly known as GSLV-MkIII, is ISRO’s most powerful rocket so far. It can carry 4 ton satellites into geostationary orbit and 8 ton satellites into low earth orbit.
Information that ISRO plans to sign a 14-year contract with a selected private company. The first two years will be a “development phase for technology and transition” and over the next 12 years, the private sector is expected to be able to build four to six LMV3 rockets every year.
“With the commercialization of LVM3, Indian companies will now have a wider range of launch vehicles to offer in the global market. This will increase the country’s share in the global market,” Indian Space Association Director General Lt Gen Anil Kumar Bhatt (retd) told The Indian Express.
Also, Lt Gen Bhatt added, it will allow ISRO to focus on the NGLV (Next Generation Launch Vehicle), the largest launch vehicle being developed as part of India’s vision to set up its own space station and send an Indian to the moon.
“This is the right time for India to get some space for LVM3. The market for satellites in low Earth orbit is also growing,” he said.
Apart from LMV3, ISRO has given private players the opportunity to build the recently developed Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) and its flagship workhorse PSLV. The first privately made PSLV is likely to fly in August this year.
